Automotive Conferences You Should Check Out in 2018

Canadian International Auto Show

Toronto – February 16-25, 2018

AutoShow 2018 is excited present attendees with fast and furious opportunities and experience throughout this 10 day event! Check out the AutoShow’s daily schedule for amazing event content including prizes, promotions, a list of engaging speakers, and special events each and every day! Dealers are invited to a Facebook-hosted VIP party night on February 15th, as well!

CBT Automotive Conference & Expo

Atlanta – March 7-9, 2018

Considered the most comprehensive and information packed event in retail automotive, this event approaches all aspects of the industry such as Marketing, Social Media, Sales Strategy, Fixed-Ops, Leadership & Management, Technology and so much more.

NADA

Las Vegas – March 23-25, 2018

The need for dealers to understand digital technology and marketing, as well as the effects on their respective businesses is a top priority at NADA Show. To boot, there’s usually a Canadian party on the eve of the show’s opening! Things get rolling Friday, March 23 at 8:30-5, and things wrap up Sunday, open 8:30 to 4.

Auto Remarketing Canada Conference

Toronto – March 27-28, 2018

Learn from the best at this annual event that brings together the remarketing and used-vehicle industry for 2 days of learning, sharing and networking to optimize your business. Form powerful connections and attend workshops with top dealers and executive decision makes. If you are in the used-vehicle industry or the remarketing industry, this event should definitely be on your calendar! Early bird registration is now open.

Women & Automotive Canadian Leadership Forum

Toronto – March 29, 2018

This one day forum full of speaker presentations and panel discussions is an innovative, game changer for advancing women into leadership roles in the Canadian automotive industry. As more women join the automotive industry, it is key to provide them networking and career advancement opportunities that strengthen them into leadership and decision-making roles. A great opportunity to both network and achieve goals together. We were honoured to speak at the first annual Women & Automotive conference last year, and we look forward to seeing you there this year! Early bird registration is now open.

Automotive Conference & Expo

Niagra Falls – April 11-12, 2018

TADA’s Auto Dealers Innovation Series and Ontario Dealer Day have combined to bring dealers an exciting conference that features presentations from high profile industry leaders that are experts in new marketing strategies and technology. Fill your brain with empowering sales strategies, leadership, and a look into the future of the automotive industry that is ever-evolving.

DrivingSales Presidents Club

Ft. Lauderdale – May 6-7 2018

This specialized event focuses on critical operation discussions with real-life experts, and solutions are provided for the most challenging issues. Take home actionable strategies for your dealership and engage at a deeper level with dealer executives pioneering new practices for their stores and groups.

DrivingSales Canadian Dealer Forum

2018 date & location TBD

If you’re not into the traditional conference style and just want to learn best practices you can instantly take back to the dealership, this is a great opportunity for you.

“The Canadian Dealer Forum was designed to be a very practical conference – a true forum where dealership executive teams can create an actionable business plan. You will walk away with a list of tactics you can apply the next day to drive results inside your dealership.”

Google Think Auto

2018 date and location TBD

Best Practices For Automotive

Detroit – September 11-14, 2018

This conference will unite all levels of industry professionals to create an innovative event built around learning, networking and peer collaboration. This is more of a hands on, interactive experience that will open your mind and leave you with fresh ideas and best-in-class strategies to optimize your overall business performance. To stay up-to-date on conference updates: #BP4auto

DealerTalk

Montreal – (date TBD)

Calgary – (date TBD)

Toronto – (date TBD)

Vancouver – (date TBD)

Does your digital marketing strategy need a boost? If you want to learn about the latest creative and marketing trends, DealerTalk is the conference to go to. This year’s theme is Dealership of the Future, and is sure to be full of great keynotes (including Gary Vaynerchuk in Toronto) and networking. To make sure as many Canadians as possible can attend, they host the conference in Montreal, Calgary and Toronto.

DrivingSales Executive Summit

Las Vegas – TBD

If you are looking for a progressive conference to give you help you with your strategic planning, DrivingSales Executive Summit is where you want to go. This event brings all of the most progressive dealers and vendors together to have industry-changing conversation. Last year, our very own Business Development Manager, Alecia Wilson, spoke at DSES about best practices for hiring and retaining staff.

Google ThinkDealer

Montreal – (date TBD)

Toronto – (date TBD)

Halifax – (date TBD)

Vancouver – (date TBD)

Calgary – (date TBD)

Last year’s Google ThinkDealer events were extremely informative for dealers and us! Google discussed how dealers are currently spending their advertising budgets, and how they should be spending more of it online. Google also released their Dealer Playbook – a step-by-step guide for dealers on how to advertise on Google and generate more leads. If you would like a copy of the Google’s Dealer Playbook, just let us know and we will send it to you!

We will continue to update this list as more dates and locations are confirmed, and please let us know if there are any other events we might have missed! To keep up to date on events we will be attending and speaking at, make sure to subscribe to our newsletter!